The Sprinter

Chapter 29

She hurtled through the forest, leaping fallen logs and ducking low branches as she ran from the Skricarah. It’s shrill, throaty voice pierced the air, sending fear and adrenaline shooting through her body. Her foot caught on a root, and she staggered forward, cursing herself.

Stay still, that was all you had to do, she berated herself. But no, you had to run. A flutter of wings sounded behind her. The bird had taken off. Eloise looked up, increasing her pace, pounding her legs harder and harder into the ground. As she caught sight of it’s green, underbelly feathers flying over her, she thanked the Eternals that there weren't any more of them.

It swooped down from the canopy, taking a dive at her head. She ducked, and swerved around a tree, gaining a few seconds. The Skricarah pulled upwards, rustling leaves and branches as it escaped above the trees. Eloise didn’t stop running. A faint glow emerged from the edge of the forest. Haven Port. She was almost there. She was so close, if she could just -

The hideous bird lunged for her again, its razor sharp teeth dragging back across her scalp. She screamed and ducked, stumbling forward in an effort to get away from it. The Skricarah lost its grip on her head, and swerved, flying around her in its attempt to rise higher again. Eloise stayed low, practically crawling as she fought to break past the forest’s edge. She was nearly there, only a few yards away.

It dived again, coming down in front of her this time, blocking her path. She threw herself to the side, her hands shooting out to catch herself in case she fell. The Skricarah lunged for her and she ducked, dropping to the ground as it hit the tree. She scrambled away, scrabbling in the dirt and undergrowth, her head still throbbing from the Skricarah’s claws.

The bird was on its feet now, and looking around. It was disorientated - dazed. Eloise froze, her eyes fixed on it. If she stayed here, if she stayed still, it would assume that she’d ran, would head out of the forest to try and follow her. It would leave her alone. She just had to stay still, just had to not run - and she’d be free. Free to go to Haven Port, to sail to the Western Isles. Free to start again.

The Skricarah had started pecking at the ground. It’s green eyes were flooded with confusion, and it began to look thoughtfully towards the edge of the forest. It padded forward, sticking its legs out in a comical fashion as it walked. The Port was just there, a few feet away. It was so close now; she could see the boats there, could see the pontoon and the water crashing on top of it. She could see the bird watching it, considering it - weighing its options. It was so close; she was sure she could make it. If she could make it before the bird, someone might be there, someone might help her. If she stayed here, the Skricarah might not decide to go.

The bird, as if sensing her thoughts, turned to face her. It took a step away from her, slowly backwards, towards the Port. Eloise slipped her hand into her pocket, clutching her ticket - the ticket she had held onto for years, her promise of a new life, of a better life. The bird shifted its weight away from her, and turned to face the Port, ready to waddle towards it.

The second it turned away, Eloise leapt up, and sprinted past it.

The bird gave a squawk of surprise, but Eloise was already past it and running for the Port. She could hear its feet padding fast along the forest floor behind her, but she paid it no heed as she dashed through the forest in one final sprint. The trees parted and she could see clearly the night sky as she hurtled past branches and trees. A twig tore at her already stinging scalp, but she refused to stop, even as her vision began to blur. She had to get there. She had to. She was so close.

The Skricarah behind her gave one last burst of energy as it flapped past her and beat her out of the forest. Eloise almost collapsed as she made it through the treeline, and onto the wooden planking of Haven Port. The bird careered around in the air, to face her. She flung her arm in front of her face, protecting it from the bird’s inevitable attack - but nothing came.

Carefully, Eloise lowered her arms, and looked around. The Skricarah was on the ground, back inside the edge of the forest, staring at her with fear and reproach. And in front of her - in front of her stood the Commander. He stared at her, his deep onyx eyes sparkling, as if the stars were born and died inside them. His golden hair lay unruffled on his scalp, and all signs of injury had vanished from his accented, sculpted face. Behind him, sat the Kini Ship, the ship she was prepared to sail away on - ready for departure. Just in time - she had made it just in time.

The Commander shook his head. He smiled at her. He wasn’t going to let her past.

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